There’s no soliciting here!
We
DEAR HELOISE » have a “no trespassing” sign near home stating that we live on a private road. Our house also has a sign at the end of the driveway saying “no trespassing” and “no soliciting.” A third sign by our front door also says “no soliciting.” Yet we still get business cards and flyers stuck in the door that advertise businesses. When we open the door, all the paper flies away, and we have to chase it down, especially during windy days, in order to throw it out.
I am upset that people think it's OK to trash up another person's private property, especially when they ignore all the signs. I am boycotting any business that advertises this way. If more people would refuse to buy from businesses that are disrespectful enough to put trash on others' property, we may have less of this bad behavior.
— Elaine Fleeman, Bakersfield
DEAR READERS » The white rings of salt buildup that appear on many clay pots (both indoors and outdoors) can often be removed by wiping them over with a cloth that has been soaked in undiluted white vinegar.
I have put together a six-page pamphlet with a bunch of handy and useful vinegar hints. To get a copy of “Heloise's Fantabulous Vinegar Hints and More!” go to Heloise.com. You can also get a copy by sending $5 and a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Heloise/Vinegar, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001.
DEAR HELOISE » When most of us leave our home or exit our car, we drop our keys right into our purses. Later, we scrounge around inside hoping to find them. Here's an easier resolution:
I took a plain shower curtain hook and attached it to an inside zipper pull tab. Now, all I do is attach my keys to it. No more scrounging! Quick and easy.
— Jean Milici, Torrington,
Connecticut
DEAR HELOISE » My husband took the air fryer down off the top shelf and turned it on for me (I'm short!). I was in another room, smelled smoke and came back to see flames coming out of the air fryer. I pulled the plug and irrationally decided to take it outside via the garage. But since I had both my hands on the appliance, I couldn't open the door.
Common sense then kicked in, and I took it back to the kitchen. There, I soaked a few paper towels with water and dropped those onto the fire to put it out. The fire was due to the user manuals that he accidentally left inside. The worst thing I did was carry it throughout the house, though. I should have immediately dowsed the flames, but panic set in.
Years ago, the apartment next to mine was gutted by fire. A child playing with matches set a mattress on fire, and the parents dragged it through the apartment to put it on the balcony. Everything in between caught on fire. Now, I know better!
— M.S., in Alabama
Write to Heloise at P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000; Fax 210-HELOISE; or email Heloise@Heloise.com.